Rights Holder: Birmingham Museums Trust
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Unique ID: WAW-CD40B6
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A complete cast lead or lead alloy bi-convex decorated spindle whorl, of Roman to Post Medieval dating (1 - 1650 AD).
The spindle whorl is sub circular in plan, and lentoid in cross section. Both the upper and lower faces have a cast rim along the edge (approx 4.5mm thick), with a similar rim around the inner edge. both the upper and lower faces have been decorated with alternating diagonal ribs, with pellets placed in the gaps between the ribs. The central hole is circular in shape and has been cast / set slightly off centre. The internal diameter of the hole measures 9.18mm wide.
The whorl has a diameter of 29.23mm and is 13.16mm thick. It weighs 35.7 grams.
The whorl is of a light to mid grey colour, with signs of abrasion damaging the patina.
Spindle whorls, as an artefact type, can be hard to date accurately as they remained in use for a long period of time, however lead alloy spindle whorls of this type are normally attributed to the Medieval period (c. 1100 to 1450 AD). The weight of the spindle whorl is suggestive of a thick linen or wool fibre being spun, as there is a direct relationship between the weight of the whorl and the thickness of the resulting thread. Fine threads such as silk require a lighter whorl than those used to spun wool or linen.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1
Date to: Circa AD 1650
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 13.16 mm
Weight: 35.7 g
Diameter: 29.23 mm
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Primary material: Lead Alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
4 Figure: SP8773
Four figure Latitude: 52.34817919
Four figure longitude: -0.72421406
1:25K map: SP8773
1:10K map: SP87SE
Grid reference source: Centred on parish
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.